Twins Jennifer and Jason Zada received early offers to study advance science at the University of Sydney. Photo: Ben Rushton

But they chose to study the same subjects at high school, applied for the same course at university and both hope to eventually work as dentists.

Their inspiration for the profession was also shared.

"We both had very bad teeth and we got braces together," Jason said. "Our dentist was such a great guy and he was so funny. It's a nice thing to be able to do for people, to make them smile."

On Tuesday, the twins from Punchbowl received early offers to study advance science at the University of Sydney. The 18-year-olds, who graduated from St Charbel's College, were also awarded E12 scholarships, given to high achievers from disadvantaged backgrounds, which provide them with $5000 and an iPad.

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They were among thousands of prospective students wandering around campuses on Tuesday as universities made last-ditch attempts to woo the state's top high school graduates.

Students have until midnight on Wednesday to finalise their preferences for offers in the main round, which are released on January 21.

The University of Sydney held three functions – a breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea – for the recipients of their various scholarships.

The University of NSW, the University of Technology, Sydney and Macquarie University also opened their doors on Tuesday for students to explore the campus, peek into residential colleges and speak to academics about the courses they're interested in.

While the universities have offered scholarships to hundreds of students, most are contingent on the students receiving an offer to study when this year's Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) cut-offs are finalised.

Although applications have been open for months, Donna Munro, the community liaison manager at the Universities Admissions Centre, said students often change their preferences at the last minute, especially now they know their ATAR.

"They need to be more strategic now," she said. "When students applied in August or September, they were dreaming. Now they know their ATAR, it's time to be realistic. They need to think about what last year's cut-off for the course they're interested in was, what their ATAR is and what bonus points they might be eligible for."

She said last year's ATAR cut-offs are the best guide of where students should be aiming.

"Unless there is something major happening, in terms of supply or demand, the cut-off will usually remain in the vicinity of what it was," Ms Munro said.

Universities are increasingly trying to tie down enrolments early and many students have already received an offer. For those students, Ms Munro says, it is important to switch their top preference for a shot at another offer.

"If they've been successful in receiving an offer and they don't move that out of that number one spot, that will block any other preferences underneath it," she said.

The early offer has taken the pressure off for the Zada twins.

"I was scared because, even though we got a conditional offer, until it's an official offer you're worried," Jason said. "But today we got it so it was a big relief."